U.S. patent application number 14/968689 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-16 for systems, devices, and methods including personal vaporizing inhalers having cartridges configured to hold multiple unit doses.
The applicant listed for this patent is Craig E. Kinzer. Invention is credited to Craig E. Kinzer.
Application Number | 20160166786 14/968689 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56110137 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160166786 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kinzer; Craig E. |
June 16, 2016 |
SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS INCLUDING PERSONAL VAPORIZING
INHALERS HAVING CARTRIDGES CONFIGURED TO HOLD MULTIPLE UNIT
DOSES
Abstract
Systems, Devices, and Methods are described that enable users to
manage, receive, utilize, and the like cannabis related services
and products. Also described are systems, devices, and methods
including an electronic vaporizer device having a cartridge
assembly including one or more cartridges, each cartridge
configured to hold multiple unit doses of an active agent; a
cannabinoid activation component; and at least one of a terpenoid
activation component or a flavonoid activation component. Also
described are systems, devices, and methods for managing treatments
associated with phyto-cannabinoid unit dose forms for treating
various diseases or disorders.
Inventors: |
Kinzer; Craig E.; (Issaquah,
WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kinzer; Craig E. |
Issaquah |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56110137 |
Appl. No.: |
14/968689 |
Filed: |
December 14, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62092259 |
Dec 16, 2014 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
128/200.14 ;
128/203.12; 128/203.25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61K 31/015 20130101;
A61K 31/352 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101; A61K 2300/00 20130101;
A61M 2205/3584 20130101; A61M 2205/3553 20130101; A61K 9/0078
20130101; A61M 11/042 20140204; A61K 31/352 20130101; A61M
2205/3592 20130101; A61M 2205/505 20130101; A61M 2205/8206
20130101; A61K 31/045 20130101; A61M 11/041 20130101; A61M 15/0028
20130101; A61K 31/015 20130101; A61M 2205/3368 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61M 15/00 20060101
A61M015/00; A61K 31/352 20060101 A61K031/352; A61K 31/045 20060101
A61K031/045; A61K 9/00 20060101 A61K009/00; A61K 31/122 20060101
A61K031/122; A61K 31/575 20060101 A61K031/575; A61K 31/7016
20060101 A61K031/7016; A61M 11/04 20060101 A61M011/04; A61K 31/015
20060101 A61K031/015 |
Claims
1. An electronic vaporizer device, comprising: a cartridge assembly
including one or more cartridges, each cartridge configured to hold
multiple unit doses of an active agent; a cannabinoid activation
component; at least one of a terpenoid activation component or a
flavonoid activation component; and a communication interface
component.
2. (canceled)
3. The electronic vaporizer device of claim 1, wherein the
cartridge assembly includes at least one cartridge having multiple
unit doses of a solid plant extract composition including at least
one of a cannabinoid, a terpenoid, or a flavonoid, or combinations
or mixtures thereof.
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. The electronic vaporizer device of claim 1, wherein the
cartridge assembly includes at least one cartridge having multiple
unit doses of a vaporizable plant extract composition including at
least one of a cannabinoid, a terpenoid, or a flavonoid.
7-15. (canceled)
16. The electronic vaporizer device of claim 1, further comprising:
an activation chamber operably coupled to the cannabinoid
activation component and the at least one of the terpenoid
activation component or the flavonoid activation component.
17. The electronic vaporizer device of claim 16, wherein the
cannabinoid activation component is configured to selectively heat
an interior environment within the activation chamber to a
temperature and for a duration sufficient to cause the release of
one or more cannabinoids from a unit dose received within the
activation chamber.
18. (canceled)
19. The electronic vaporizer device of claim 16, wherein the
cannabinoid activation component includes circuitry including at
least one heating element configured to heat an interior
environment within the activation chamber to a temperature ranging
from about 120.degree. C. to about 220.degree. C.
20-24. (canceled)
25. The electronic vaporizer device of claim 16, wherein the
electronic vaporizer device includes a terpenoid activation
component; and wherein the terpenoid activation component is
configured to selectively heat an interior environment within the
activation chamber to a temperature and for a duration sufficient
to cause the release of one or more terpenoids from a unit dose
received within the activation chamber.
26. (canceled)
27. (canceled)
28. The electronic vaporizer device of claim 16, wherein the
electronic vaporizer device includes a flavonoid activation
component; and wherein the terpenoid activation component is
configured to selectively heat an interior environment within the
activation chamber to a temperature and for a duration sufficient
to cause the release of one or more flavonoids from a unit dose
received within the activation chamber.
29. The electronic vaporizer device of claim 28, wherein the
flavonoid activation component includes circuitry configured to
activate a target flavonoid dose profile.
30-41. (canceled)
42. The electronic vaporizer device of claim 1, wherein the
communication interface component includes circuitry configured to
exchange and store cannabis experience information from one or more
of a cell phone device, a computer device, a desktop computer
device, a laptop computer device, a managed node device, a notebook
computer device, a remote controller, a tablet device, a wearable
device, or an application interface with a smart device.
43-56. (canceled)
57. A vaporizing inhaler device, comprising an aerosol generation
assembly including one or more active agent reservoirs forming part
of a modular structure; a vaporization chamber; and a cannabinoid
activation component operably coupled to the vaporization
chamber.
58. The vaporizing inhaler device of claim 57, further comprising:
a communication interface.
59. The vaporizing inhaler device of claim 57, further comprising:
at least one of a terpenoid activation component or a flavonoid
activation component.
60-64. (canceled)
65. The vaporizing inhaler device of claim 57, wherein the
cannabinoid activation component includes one or more heating
elements.
66. (canceled)
67. The vaporizing inhaler device of claim 57, wherein the modular
structure includes at least one of the one agent reservoir having
multiple unit doses of a vaporizable composition including at least
one of a cannabinoid, a terpenoid, or a flavonoid.
68-72. (canceled)
73. The vaporizing inhaler device of claim 57, further comprising:
a target experience component operably coupled to the aerosol
generation assembly, the target experience component operable to
generate one or more control commands for formulating a target
aerosol composition having a target cannabinoid content, a target
terpenoid content, or a target flavonoid content.
74. The vaporizing inhaler device of claim 57, further comprising:
a target experience component operably coupled to the aerosol
generation assembly, the target experience component operable to
generate one or more control commands for formulating a target
aerosol composition having a target unit dose based on a pain
mitigation profile or a stress mitigation profile.
75. The vaporizing inhaler device of claim 57, further comprising:
a target experience component operably coupled to the aerosol
generation assembly, the target experience component operable to
generate one or more control commands for formulating a target
aerosol composition having a target unit dose based on an
auto-immune disease profile.
76. The vaporizing inhaler device of claim 57, further comprising:
a target experience component operably coupled to the aerosol
generation assembly, the target experience component operable to
generate one or more control commands for formulating a target
aerosol composition having a target unit dose based on a target
cannabinoid/terpenoid/flavonoid profile.
77. The vaporizing inhaler device of claim 57, further comprising a
target experience component operably coupled to the aerosol
generation assembly, the target experience component operable to
generate one or more control commands for formulating a target
aerosol composition having a target unit dose based on a cannabis
experience profile.
78-80. (canceled)
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/092,259, filed on Dec. 16, 2014, which is
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
SUMMARY
[0002] In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among
other things, an electronic vaporizer device. In an embodiment, the
electronic vaporizer device includes a cartridge assembly having
one or more cartridges. In an embodiment, the cartridge assembly
includes at least one cartridge having multiple unit doses of an
active agent. In an embodiment, each cartridge is configured to
hold multiple unit doses of a composition including at least one of
a cannabinoid, a terpenoid, or a flavonoid, or combinations or
mixtures thereof. In an embodiment, each cartridge is configured to
hold multiple unit doses of a vaporizable composition including at
least one of a cannabinoid, a terpenoid, or a flavonoid, or
combinations or mixtures thereof. In an embodiment, each cartridge
is configured to hold multiple unit doses of an aerosolable
composition including at least one of a cannabinoid, a terpenoid,
or a flavonoid, or combinations or mixtures thereof. In an
embodiment, the cartridge assembly includes at least one cartridge
having multiple unit doses of a solid plant extract composition
including at least one of a cannabinoid, a terpenoid, or a
flavonoid, or combinations or mixtures thereof.
[0003] In an embodiment, the electronic vaporizer device includes a
cannabinoid activation component. In an embodiment, the electronic
vaporizer device includes a terpenoid activation component. In an
embodiment, the electronic vaporizer device includes a flavonoid
activation component.
[0004] In an embodiment, the electronic vaporizer device includes a
communication interface component.
[0005] In an aspect, the present disclosure is directed to, among
other things, a vaporizing inhaler device. In an embodiment, the
vaporizing inhaler device includes an aerosol generation assembly
including one or more active agent reservoirs forming part of a
modular structure. In an embodiment, the modular structure includes
an active agent reservoir having multiple unit doses of a
vaporizable composition including at least one of a cannabinoid, a
terpenoid, or a flavonoid.
[0006] In an embodiment, the vaporizing inhaler device includes a
vaporization chamber. In an embodiment, the vaporizing inhaler
device includes a cannabinoid activation component operably coupled
to the vaporization chamber. In an embodiment, the vaporizing
inhaler device includes a terpenoid activation component operably
coupled to the vaporization chamber. In an embodiment, the
vaporizing inhaler device includes a flavonoid activation component
operably coupled to the vaporization chamber.
[0007] In an embodiment, the vaporizing inhaler device includes a
communication interface.
[0008] In an embodiment, the vaporizing inhaler device includes a
target experience component operably coupled to the aerosol
generation assembly. In an embodiment, the target experience
component is operable to generate one or more control commands for
formulating a target aerosol composition having a target
cannabinoid content, a target terpenoid content, or a target
flavonoid content. In an embodiment, the vaporizing inhaler device
includes a target experience component operably coupled to the
aerosol generation assembly. In an embodiment, the target
experience component is operable to generate one or more control
commands for formulating a target aerosol composition having a
target unit dose based on a pain mitigation profile or a stress
mitigation profile. In an embodiment, the target experience
component is operable to generate one or more control commands for
formulating a target aerosol composition having a target unit dose
based one or more communication from a physiological sensor device,
a wearable sensor, exercise tracker or the like. In an embodiment,
the target experience component is operable to generate one or more
control commands for formulating a target aerosol composition
having a target unit dose based one or more inputs from a biometric
authorization component.
[0009] In an embodiment, the target experience component is
operable to generate one or more control commands for formulating a
target aerosol composition having a target unit dose based on an
auto-immune disease profile. In an embodiment, the target
experience component is operable to generate one or more control
commands for formulating a target aerosol composition having a
target unit dose based on a target cannabinoid/terpenoid/flavonoid
profile. In an embodiment, the target experience component is
operable to generate one or more control commands for formulating a
target aerosol composition having a target unit dose based on a
cannabis experience profile.
[0010] In an embodiment, the vaporizing inhaler device includes an
authorization device including at least one biometric interface. In
an embodiment, the vaporizing inhaler device includes an
authorization device including at least one mechanical lock. In an
embodiment, the vaporizing inhaler device includes an authorization
circuit including a speech recognition component.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0011] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an electronic vaporizer
device according to an embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of unit doses according to an
embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 1C is a perspective view of an electronic vaporizer
device to an embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a vaporizing inhaler device
according to an embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a vaporizing inhaler device
according to an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] FIGS. 1A and 1C show an electronic vaporizer device 102 in
which one or more methodologies or technologies can be implemented,
for example, to treat cannabinoid receptor-mediated diseases or
disorders, manage a cannabis experience, manage a pain mitigation
regimen, manage a stress mitigation regimen, or the like.
[0017] In an embodiment, one or more of the methodologies or
technologies can be implemented to treat cannabinoid
receptor-mediated diseases or disorders of the central nervous
system (CNS). Diseases or disorders of the central nervous system
include, among others, depression, anxiety, attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the like. Further CNS diseases or
disorders include ulcerative colitis; disorders where increased
angiogenesis may be beneficial (e.g., diabetes, gangrene, or the
like); disorders in which a lack of dopamine or serotonin is
involved; disorders in which improved cognition may be beneficial
(e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, or
the like); Tourette's Syndrome; nausea, vomiting, anorexia nervosa,
spasticity, major depressive disorder, cachexia, wasting syndromes,
appetite suppression, glaucoma, epilepsy, Dravet Syndrome, multiple
sclerosis, asthma, and pain, including pain involved with cancer,
HIV, migraines and generalized neuropathic pain. In an embodiment,
one or more of the disclosed methodologies or technologies can be
implemented to treat a disease or disorder that elicits a
therapeutic response in a patient using an active agent such as a
cannabinoid, a terpenoid, a flavonoid or the like.
[0018] In an embodiment, the electronic vaporizer device 102
includes a cartridge assembly 104 including one or more cartridges
106. In an embodiment, a cartridge 106 is configured to hold
multiple unit doses 108 of an active agent.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1B, in an embodiment, the shape of the
unit dose 108 can be a geometrical shape including and regular
geometric shapes, such as circular, hexagonal, pentagonal,
rectangular, triangular, and the like, as well as irregular
geometric shapes. In an embodiment, each unit doses 108 comprises
from about 0.1 milligrams to about 500 milligrams of at least one
active agent. In an embodiment, each unit doses 108 comprises from
about 0.5 milligrams to about 250 milligrams of at least one active
agent. In an embodiment, each unit doses 108 comprises from about 1
milligrams to about 100 milligrams of at least one active
agent.
[0020] Non-limiting examples of active agents include one or more
cannabinoids. Further non-limiting examples of cannabinoids
includes those found naturally in cannabis or members of the
Cannabis species (e.g. phyto-cannabinoids, phyto-cannabichromenes,
phyto-cannabidiols, phyto-cannabidiolic acids, phyto-cannabigerols,
phyto-cannabinols, phyto-cannabidivarins,
phyto-tetrahydrocannabinolic acids, phyto-tetrahydrocannabivarins,
and the like), including Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and
Cannabis ruderalis, and chemovars, cultivars, genetic crosses,
self-crosses and hybrids thereof. Further non-limiting examples of
active agents include synthetic cannabinoids and human cannabinoids
(i.e., endocannabinoids), including nabilone, dronabinol, and
rimonabant. Further non-limiting examples of active agents include
cannabidiols, cannabigerols, cannabichromenes, cannabinols, and the
like
[0021] Further non-limiting examples of active agents include
.DELTA..sup.9-tetrahydrocannabinol;
.DELTA..sup.9-tetrahydrocannabiorcol;
.DELTA..sup.9-tetrahydrocannabivarin; 10-O-ethylcannabitriol;
6a,7,10a-trihydroxytetrahydrocannabinol;
7,8-dehydro-10-O-ethylcannabitriol; 9,10-epoxycannabitriol;
cannabichromene; cannabicitran; cannabicyclol; cannabidiol;
cannabidivarin; cannabielsoin; cannabigerol; cannabinol;
dihydrocannabinol; and the like, and analogues and derivatives
thereof. See e.g., Ross et al., Phytochem Anal, January-February;
16(1):45-(2005). Further non-limiting examples of active agents
include .DELTA..sup.9 tetrahydrocannabinol, .DELTA..sup.8
tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, cannabigerol, cannabichromene,
cannabinol, and the like, and analogues and derivatives thereof,
including ether, ester and amide derivatives. Further non-limiting
examples of active agents include phyto-cannabinoids (THC),
phyto-cannabichromenes (CBC), phyto-cannabidiols (CBD),
phyto-cannabidiolic acids (CBD-A), phyto-cannabigerols (CBG),
phyto-cannabinols (CBN), phyto-cannabidivarins (CBDV),
phyto-tetrahydrocannabinolic acids (THC-A),
phyto-tetrahydrocannabivarins (THCV), and the like.
[0022] Further non-limiting examples of active agents include one
or more terpenoids. Non-limiting examples of terpenoids include
borneol, .beta.-caryophyllene, cineole, delta-3-carene, limonene,
D-linalool, .beta.-myrcene, pinene, pulegone, sabinene, terpineol,
and the like.
[0023] Further non-limiting examples of active agents include one
or more flavonoids. Non-limiting examples of flavonoids include
apigenin, quercetin, cannflavin A, B-sitosterol, and the like.
Further non-limiting examples of flavonoids include flavonoid
glycosides (e.g., kaempferol 3-O-sphoroside, quercetin
3-O-sophoroside, etc.).
[0024] Further non-limiting examples of active agents include those
described in U.S. provisional patent application Nos. 62/027,374
and 62/027,391, which are incorporated herein by reference in
full.
[0025] In an embodiment, the cartridge assembly 104 includes at
least one cartridge 106 having multiple unit doses 108 of an
inhalable active agent. In an embodiment, the cartridge assembly
104 includes at least one cartridge 106 having multiple unit doses
108 of a vaporizable active agent. In an embodiment, the cartridge
assembly 104 includes at least one cartridge 106 having multiple
unit doses 108 of an aerosolable active agent. In an embodiment,
the cartridge assembly 104 includes at least one cartridge 106
having multiple unit doses 108 of a solid plant extract composition
including at least one of a cannabinoid, a terpenoid, or a
flavonoid, or combinations or mixtures thereof.
[0026] In an embodiment, each unit dose 108 of the active agent
comprises a composition including at least one of a cannabinoid, a
terpenoid, or a flavonoid, or combinations or mixtures thereof, and
a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier.
[0027] In an embodiment, the cartridge assembly 104 includes at
least one cartridge 106 having multiple unit doses 108 of a
vaporizable plant extract composition including at least one of a
cannabinoid, a terpenoid, or a flavonoid. In an embodiment, the
cartridge assembly 104 includes at least one cartridge 106 having
multiple unit doses 108 of an aerosolable plant extract composition
including at least one of a cannabinoid, a terpenoid, or a
flavonoid. In an embodiment, the cartridge assembly 104 includes at
least one cartridge 106 having multiple unit doses 108 of a
vaporizable cannabinoid composition.
[0028] In an embodiment, the cartridge assembly 104 includes at
least one cartridge 106 having multiple unit doses 108 of an
aerosolable cannabinoid composition. In an embodiment, the
cartridge assembly 104 includes at least one cartridge 106 having
multiple unit doses 108 of an inhalable cannabinoid. In an
embodiment, the cartridge assembly 104 includes at least one
cartridge 106 having multiple unit doses 108 of an inhalable
phyto-cannabinoid. In an embodiment, the cartridge assembly 104
includes at least one cartridge 106 having multiple unit doses 108
of an inhalable terpenoid. In an embodiment, the cartridge assembly
104 includes at least one cartridge 106 having multiple unit doses
108 of an inhalable flavonoid.
[0029] In an embodiment, the cartridge assembly 104 includes at
least one cartridge 106 having multiple solid unit doses 108 of a
plant extract composition including at least one cannabinoid, at
least one terpenoid, and at least one flavonoid. In an embodiment,
the cartridge assembly 104 includes at least one cartridge 106
having multiple solid unit doses 108 of an inhalable composition
including at least one cannabinoid, at least one terpenoid, and at
least one flavonoid. In an embodiment, the cartridge assembly 104
includes at least one cartridge 106 configured to hold multiple
solid unit doses 108 of an inhalable active agent. In an
embodiment, the cartridge assembly 104 includes at least a first
cartridge and a second cartridge, the second cartridge having a
unit dose of an active agent different from a unit dose of the
active agent in the first cartridge.
[0030] In an embodiment, the electronic vaporizer device 102
includes an activation chamber 110. In an embodiment, the cartridge
assembly 104 includes a dispensing assembly 112. In an embodiment,
the dispensing assembly 112 is operable to dispense at least one
unit dose 108 of an active agent into the activation chamber 110.
In an embodiment, the dispensing assembly 112 is operable to
dispense at least one solid unit doses 108 of an active agent into
the activation chamber 110. In an embodiment, the dispensing
assembly 112 is operable to dispense at least one vaporizable unit
doses 108 of an active agent into the activation chamber 110.
[0031] In an embodiment, the electronic vaporizer device 102
includes a cannabinoid activation component 114. In an embodiment,
the activation chamber 110 is operably coupled to the cannabinoid
activation component 114.
[0032] In an embodiment, the cannabinoid activation component 114
is configured to selectively heat an interior environment within
the activation chamber 110 to a temperature and for a duration
sufficient to cause the release of one or more cannabinoids from a
unit dose received within the activation chamber 110. For example,
in an embodiment, the cannabinoid activation component 114 includes
circuitry configured to activate a target cannabinoid dose
profile.
[0033] In an embodiment, circuitry includes, among other things,
one or more computing devices such as a processor (e.g., a
microprocessor), a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal
processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC),
a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like, or any
combinations thereof, and can include discrete digital or analog
circuit elements or electronics, or combinations thereof. In an
embodiment, circuitry includes one or more ASICs having a plurality
of predefined logic components. In an embodiment, circuitry
includes one or more FPGA having a plurality of programmable logic
components.
[0034] In an embodiment, the electronic vaporizer device 102
includes circuitry having one or more components operably coupled
(e.g., communicatively, electromagnetically, magnetically,
ultrasonically, optically, inductively, electrically, capacitively
coupled, or the like) to each other. In an embodiment, circuitry
includes one or more remotely located components. In an embodiment,
remotely located components are operably coupled via wireless
communication. In an embodiment, remotely located components are
operably coupled via one or more receivers, transceivers, or
transmitters, or the like.
[0035] In an embodiment, circuitry includes one or more memory
devices that, for example, store instructions or data. For example,
in an embodiment, the electronic vaporizer device 102 includes one
or more memory devices that store cannabis experience information,
cannabis management information, and the like. Non-limiting
examples of one or more memory devices include volatile memory
(e.g., Random Access Memory (RAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory
(DRAM), or the like), non-volatile memory (e.g., Read-Only Memory
(ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory
(EEPROM), Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM), or the like),
persistent memory, or the like. Further non-limiting examples of
one or more memory devices include Erasable Programmable Read-Only
Memory (EPROM), flash memory, or the like. The one or more memory
devices can be coupled to, for example, one or more computing
devices by one or more instructions, data, or power buses. In an
embodiment, the electronic vaporizer device 102 includes one or
more memory device that stores, for example, information regarding
user-specific terpene/terpenoid/CBD/THC information, user-specific
flavor profile information, user-specific auto-immune diseases
information, user-specific pain mitigation profile information,
user-specific stress mitigation profile information, user-specific
desired feeling/results profile information, and the like. In an
embodiment, circuitry includes one or more computer-readable media
drives, interface sockets, Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports, memory
card slots, or the like, and one or more input/output components
such as, for example, a graphical user interface, a display, a
keyboard, a keypad, a trackball, a joystick, a touch-screen, a
mouse, a switch, a dial, or the like, and any other peripheral
device. In an embodiment, circuitry includes one or more user
input/output components that are operably coupled to at least one
computing device to control (electrical, electromechanical,
software-implemented, firmware-implemented, or other control, or
combinations thereof) at least one parameter associated with, for
example,
[0036] In an embodiment, circuitry includes a computer-readable
media drive or memory slot that is configured to accept
signal-bearing medium (e.g., computer-readable memory media,
computer-readable recording media, or the like). In an embodiment,
a program for causing a system to execute any of the disclosed
methods can be stored on, for example, a computer-readable
recording medium (CRMM), a signal-bearing medium, or the like.
Non-limiting examples of signal-bearing media include a recordable
type medium such as a magnetic tape, floppy disk, a hard disk
drive, a Compact Disc (CD), a Digital Video Disk (DVD), Blu-Ray
Disc, a digital tape, a computer memory, or the like, as well as
transmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analog
communication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a
wired communications link, a wireless communication link (e.g.,
receiver, transceiver, or transmitter, transmission logic,
reception logic, etc.). Further non-limiting examples of
signal-bearing media include, but are not limited to, DVD-ROM,
DVD-RAM, DVD+RW, DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+R, CD-ROM, Super Audio CD,
CD-R, CD+R, CD+RW, CD-RW, Video Compact Discs, Super Video Discs,
flash memory, magnetic tape, magneto-optic disk, MINIDISC,
non-volatile memory card, EEPROM, optical disk, optical storage,
RAM, ROM, system memory, web server, or the like.
[0037] In an embodiment, the electronic vaporizer device 102
includes circuitry having one or more modules optionally operable
for communication with one or more input/output components that are
configured to relay user output and/or input. In an embodiment, a
module includes one or more instances of electrical,
electromechanical, software-implemented, firmware-implemented, or
other control devices. Such devices include one or more instances
of memory, computing devices, antennas, power or other supplies,
logic modules or other signaling modules, gauges or other such
active or passive detection components, piezoelectric transducers,
shape memory elements, micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS)
elements, or other actuators.
[0038] In an embodiment, the cannabinoid activation component 114
includes circuitry including at least one heating element
configured to heat an interior environment within the activation
chamber 110 to a temperature ranging from about 120.degree. C. to
about 220.degree. C. In an embodiment, the cannabinoid activation
component 114 includes circuitry including at least one heating
element configured to heat an interior environment within the
activation chamber 110 to a temperature ranging from about
185.degree. C. to about 220.degree. C.
[0039] In an embodiment, the cannabinoid activation component 114
includes circuitry including at least one heating element
configured to heat an interior environment within the activation
chamber 110 to a temperature of about 185.degree. C. In an
embodiment, the cannabinoid activation component 114 includes
circuitry including at least one heating element configured to heat
an interior environment within the activation chamber 110 to a
temperature of about 175.degree. C. In an embodiment, the
cannabinoid activation component 114 includes circuitry including
at least one heating element configured to heat an interior
environment within the activation chamber 110 to a temperature
ranging from about 157.degree. C. to about 160.degree. C. In an
embodiment, the cannabinoid activation component 114 includes
circuitry including at least one heating element configured to heat
an interior environment within the activation chamber 110 to a
temperature of about 220.degree. C.
[0040] In an embodiment, the electronic vaporizer device 102
includes a terpenoid activation component 116. In an embodiment,
the terpenoid activation component 116 is configured to selectively
heat an interior environment within the activation chamber 110 to a
temperature and for a duration sufficient to cause the release of
one or more terpenoids from a unit dose received within the
activation chamber 110. In an embodiment, the terpenoid activation
component 116 includes circuitry configured to activate a target
terpenoid dose profile. In an embodiment, the terpenoid activation
component 116 includes circuitry including at least one heating
element configured to heat an interior environment within the
activation chamber 110 to a temperature ranging from about
168.degree. C. to about 224.degree. C.
[0041] In an embodiment, the electronic vaporizer device 102
includes a flavonoid activation component 118. In an embodiment,
the terpenoid activation component 116 is configured to selectively
heat an interior environment within the activation chamber 110 to a
temperature and for a duration sufficient to cause the release of
one or more flavonoids from a unit dose received within the
activation chamber 110. For example, in an embodiment, the
flavonoid activation component 118 includes circuitry configured to
activate a target flavonoid dose profile. In an embodiment, the
flavonoid activation component 118 includes circuitry including at
least one heating element configured to heat an interior
environment within the activation chamber 110 to a temperature
ranging from about 178.degree. C. to about 182.degree. C.
[0042] In an embodiment, the electronic vaporizer device 102
includes a communication interface component 120. In an embodiment,
the communication interface component 120 includes circuitry
configured to exchange control information with a client device
122. In an embodiment, the communication interface component 120
includes circuitry configured to exchange control information with
a network device.
[0043] In an embodiment, the communication interface component 120
includes circuitry configured to acquire and store unit dose
information. In an embodiment, the communication interface
component 120 includes circuitry configured to acquire and store at
least one of cannabinoid activation information, terpenoid
activation information, or flavonoid activation information. In an
embodiment, the communication interface component 120 includes
circuitry configured to acquire and store active agent information.
In an embodiment, the active agent information includes at least
one of cannabinoid information, terpenoid information, or flavonoid
information.
[0044] In an embodiment, the active agent information includes at
least one of dose profile information or flavor profile
information. In an embodiment, the communication interface
component 120 includes circuitry configured to receive and store
cannabis experience information from one or more of a smart device,
a smart eyewear device, or a smart wearable device. In an
embodiment, the communication interface component 120 includes
circuitry configured to exchange and store cannabis experience
information from one or more of a cell phone device, a computer
device, a desktop computer device, a laptop computer device, a
managed node device, a notebook computer device, a remote
controller, a tablet device, a wearable device, or an application
interface with a smart device. In an embodiment, the communication
interface component 120 includes circuitry configured to receive
and store cannabis experience information from one or more of a
biometric sensor, a wearable sensor, a biosensor, or the like.
[0045] In an embodiment, the communication interface component 120
includes circuitry configured to exchange and store cannabis
experience information from one or more mobile client devices 122.
In an embodiment, the communication interface component 120
includes circuitry configured to exchange and store cannabis
experience information from one or more client devices 122. In an
embodiment, the communication interface component 120 includes
circuitry configured to negotiate an authorization protocol and to
exchange cannabis experience information with a client device
122.
[0046] In an embodiment, the communication interface component 120
includes circuitry configured to exchange cannabis experience
information with a client device 122. In an embodiment, the
communication interface component 120 includes circuitry configured
to exchange cannabis experience information with a client device
122. In an embodiment, the communication interface component 120
includes circuitry configured to exchange cannabis management
information with a wearable device, a wearable network device, a
wearable sensor, or the like.
[0047] In an embodiment, the communication interface component 120
includes circuitry configured to exchange physiological measurand
information with a client device 122. In an embodiment, the
communication interface component 120 includes circuitry configured
to initiating a discovery and a registration protocol that allows a
client device 122 and the electronic vaporizer device 102 to find
each other and negotiate one or more pre-shared keys.
[0048] In an embodiment, the activation chamber 110 is operably
coupled to the cannabinoid activation component 114 and the at
least one of the terpenoid activation component 116 or the
flavonoid activation component 118.
[0049] In an embodiment, at least one of the cannabinoid activation
component 114, the terpenoid activation component 116, or the
flavonoid activation component 118 is configured to activate
heating of an interior environment with an activation chamber 110
to a temperature and for a duration sufficient to cause the release
of one or more active agents from a unit dose received within the
activation chamber 110, responsive to one or more inputs indicative
of a target cannabinoid/terpenoid/flavonoid profile.
[0050] In an embodiment, at least one of the cannabinoid activation
component 114, the terpenoid activation component 116, or the
flavonoid activation component 118 is configured to activate
heating of an interior environment with an activation chamber 110
to a temperature and for a duration sufficient to cause the release
of one or more active agents from a unit dose received within the
activation chamber 110, responsive to one or more inputs indicative
of a user-specific cannabis experience profile.
[0051] In an embodiment, at least one of the cannabinoid activation
component 114, the terpenoid activation component 116, or the
flavonoid activation component 118 is configured to activate
heating of an interior environment with an activation chamber 110
to a temperature and for a duration sufficient to cause the release
of one or more active agents from a unit dose received within the
activation chamber 110, responsive to one or more inputs indicative
of a user-specific auto-immune disease profile.
[0052] In an embodiment, at least one of the cannabinoid activation
component 114, the terpenoid activation component 116, or the
flavonoid activation component 118 is configured to activate
heating of an interior environment with an activation chamber 110
to a temperature and for a duration sufficient to cause the release
of one or more active agents from a unit dose received within the
activation chamber 110, responsive to one or more inputs indicative
of a user-specific pain mitigation profile.
[0053] In an embodiment, at least one of the cannabinoid activation
component 114, the terpenoid activation component 116, or the
flavonoid activation component 118 is configured to activate
heating of an interior environment with an activation chamber 110
to a temperature and for a duration sufficient to cause the release
of one or more active agents from a unit dose received within the
activation chamber 110, responsive to one or more inputs indicative
of a user-specific stress mitigation profile.
[0054] In an embodiment, at least one of the cannabinoid activation
component 114, the terpenoid activation component 116, or the
flavonoid activation component 118 is configured to activate
heating of an interior environment with an activation chamber 110
to a temperature and for a duration sufficient to cause the release
of one or more active agents from a unit dose received within the
activation chamber 110, responsive to one or more inputs indicative
of a real-time physiological measurand.
[0055] In an embodiment, the electronic vaporizer device 102
includes a power supply 124 operably coupled to one or more
components. In an embodiment, the electronic vaporizer device 102
includes mouthpiece assembly 126.
[0056] FIGS. 2A and 2B show a vaporizing inhaler device 202 in
which one or more methodologies or technologies can be implemented,
for example, to treat cannabinoid receptor-mediated diseases or
disorders, manage a cannabis experience, manage a pain mitigation
regimen, manage a stress mitigation regimen, or the like.
[0057] In an embodiment, the vaporizing inhaler device 202 includes
an aerosol generation assembly 204 including one or more active
agent reservoirs 206 forming part of a modular structure 208. In an
embodiment, the aerosol generation assembly 204 is configured to
generate an aerosol from an active agent composition fed from the
one or more active agent reservoirs 206. For example, in an
embodiment, the aerosol generation assembly 204 includes at least
one nozzle for generating an aerosol. In an embodiment, the aerosol
generation assembly 204 is configured to vaporize an active agent
composition fed from the one or more active agent reservoirs 206 by
applying heat to the active agent composition.
[0058] In an embodiment, the vaporizing inhaler device 202 includes
a vaporization chamber 210. In an embodiment, the vaporizing
chamber 210 is operably coupled to at least one of the one or more
reservoirs 206. In an embodiment, the vaporizing chamber 210 is in
fluidic communication with at least one of the one or more
reservoir 206.
[0059] In an embodiment, the vaporizing inhaler device 202 includes
a cannabinoid activation component 212. In an embodiment, the
cannabinoid activation component 212 includes one or more heating
elements. In an embodiment, the one or more heating elements
include at least one of a microwave heating element, an infrared
heating element, a thermal heating element, a sonic heating
element, an electromagnetic energy heating element, an optical
heating element, or an electrical heating element. In an
embodiment, the cannabinoid activation component 212 is operably
coupled to the vaporization chamber 210.
[0060] In an embodiment, the cannabinoid activation component 212
is configured to selectively heat an interior environment within
the vaporization chamber 210 to a temperature and for a duration
sufficient to cause the release of one or more cannabinoids from a
unit dose received within the vaporization chamber 210. For
example, in an embodiment, the cannabinoid activation component 212
includes circuitry configured to activate a target cannabinoid dose
profile.
[0061] In an embodiment, the vaporizing inhaler device 202 includes
a terpenoid activation component 214. In an embodiment, the
terpenoid activation component 214 includes one or more heating
elements. In an embodiment, the one or more heating elements
include at least one of a microwave heating element, an infrared
heating element, a thermal heating element, a sonic heating
element, an electromagnetic energy heating element, an optical
heating element, or an electrical heating element. In an
embodiment, the terpenoid activation component 214 is operably
coupled to the vaporization chamber 210.
[0062] In an embodiment, the terpenoid activation component 214 is
configured to selectively heat an interior environment within the
vaporization chamber 210 to a temperature and for a duration
sufficient to cause the release of one or more terpenoids from a
unit dose received within the vaporization chamber 210. For
example, in an embodiment, the terpenoid activation component 214
includes circuitry configured to activate a terpenoid dose
profile.
[0063] In an embodiment, the vaporizing inhaler device 202 includes
a flavonoid activation component 216. In an embodiment, the
flavonoid activation component 216 includes one or more heating
elements. In an embodiment, the one or more heating elements
include at least one of a microwave heating element, an infrared
heating element, a thermal heating element, a sonic heating
element, an electromagnetic energy heating element, an optical
heating element, or an electrical heating element. In an
embodiment, the flavonoid activation component 216 is operably
coupled to the vaporization chamber 210.
[0064] In an embodiment, the flavonoid activation component 216
includes circuitry configured to activate a flavonoid dose profile.
For example, in an embodiment, the flavonoid activation component
216 is configured to selectively heat an interior environment
within the vaporization chamber 210 to a temperature and for a
duration sufficient to cause the release of one or more flavonoids
from a unit dose received within the vaporization chamber 210.
[0065] In an embodiment, the vaporizing inhaler device 202 includes
a communication interface component 120.
[0066] In an embodiment, the modular structure 208 includes at
least active agent reservoir 206 including multiple unit doses of a
vaporizable composition including at least one of a cannabinoid, a
terpenoid, or a flavonoid. In an embodiment, at least one of the
one or more active agent reservoirs 206 include multiple unit doses
of a vaporizable composition including a plant extract having at
least one of a cannabinoid, a terpenoid, or a flavonoid. In an
embodiment, at least one of the one or more active agent reservoirs
206 include multiple unit doses of an aerosolable composition
including at least one of a cannabinoid, a terpenoid, or a
flavonoid.
[0067] In an embodiment, at least one of the one or more active
agent reservoirs 206 include multiple unit doses of at least one of
a vaporizable cannabinoid composition, a vaporizable terpenoid
composition, or a vaporizable flavonoid composition. In an
embodiment, at least one of the one or more active agent reservoirs
206 include multiple unit doses of at least one of an aerosolable
cannabinoid composition, an aerosolable terpenoid composition, an
aerosolable flavonoid composition.
[0068] In an embodiment, at least one of the one or more active
agent reservoirs 206 include at least one humectant such as, for
example, propylene glycol, glycerol, and the like.
[0069] In an embodiment, the vaporizing inhaler device 202 includes
a target experience component 218. In an embodiment, the target
experience component 218 is operably coupled to the aerosol
generation assembly 204. In an embodiment, the target experience
component 218 is operable to generate one or more control commands
for formulating a target aerosol composition having a target
cannabinoid content, a target terpenoid content, or a target
flavonoid content. In an embodiment, the target experience
component 218 is operable to generate one or more control commands
for formulating a target aerosol composition having a target unit
dose based on a pain mitigation profile or a stress mitigation
profile.
[0070] In an embodiment, the target experience component 218 is
operably coupled to the aerosol generation assembly 204. In an
embodiment, target experience component 218 is operable to generate
one or more control commands for formulating a target aerosol
composition having a target unit dose based on an auto-immune
disease profile. In an embodiment, the vaporizing inhaler device
202 includes a target experience component 218 operably coupled to
the aerosol generation assembly 204, the target experience
component 218 operable to generate one or more control commands for
formulating a target aerosol composition having a target unit dose
based on a target cannabinoid/terpenoid/flavonoid profile. In an
embodiment, the target experience component 218 operable to
generate one or more control commands for formulating a target
aerosol composition having a target unit dose based on a cannabis
experience profile. In an embodiment, the target experience
component 218 operable to generate one or more control commands for
formulating a target aerosol composition having a target unit dose
based on one or more inputs from a biometric authorization
component. In an embodiment, the target experience component 218
operable to generate one or more control commands for formulating a
target aerosol composition having a target unit dose based on one
or more inputs from a wearable physiologic sensor.
[0071] In an embodiment, the vaporizing inhaler device 202 includes
an authorization device 220 including at least one biometric
interface 222. In an embodiment, the vaporizing inhaler device 202
includes an authorization device 220 including at least one
mechanical lock 224. In an embodiment, the vaporizing inhaler
device 220 includes an authorization circuit 226 including a speech
recognition component.
[0072] The claims, description, and drawings of this application
may describe one or more of the instant technologies in
operational/functional language, for example as a set of operations
to be performed by a computer. Such operational/functional
description in most instances can be specifically-configured
hardware (e.g., because a general purpose computer in effect
becomes a special purpose computer once it is programmed to perform
particular functions pursuant to instructions from program
software).
[0073] Importantly, although the operational/functional
descriptions described herein are understandable by the human mind,
they are not abstract ideas of the operations/functions divorced
from computational implementation of those operations/functions.
Rather, the operations/functions represent a specification for the
massively complex computational machines or other means. As
discussed in detail below, the operational/functional language must
be read in its proper technological context, i.e., as concrete
specifications for physical implementations.
[0074] The logical operations/functions described herein are a
distillation of machine specifications or other physical mechanisms
specified by the operations/functions such that the otherwise
inscrutable machine specifications may be comprehensible to the
human mind. The distillation also allows one of skill in the art to
adapt the operational/functional description of the technology
across many different specific vendors' hardware configurations or
platforms, without being limited to specific vendors' hardware
configurations or platforms.
[0075] Some of the present technical description (e.g., detailed
description, drawings, claims, etc.) may be set forth in terms of
logical operations/functions. As described in more detail in the
following paragraphs, these logical operations/functions are not
representations of abstract ideas, but rather representative of
static or sequenced specifications of various hardware elements.
Differently stated, unless context dictates otherwise, the logical
operations/functions are representative of static or sequenced
specifications of various hardware elements. This is true because
tools available to implement technical disclosures set forth in
operational/functional formats--tools in the form of a high-level
programming language (e.g., C, java, visual basic), etc.), or tools
in the form of Very high speed Hardware Description Language
("VIDAL," which is a language that uses text to describe logic
circuits--)--are generators of static or sequenced specifications
of various hardware configurations. This fact is sometimes obscured
by the broad term "software," but, as shown by the following
explanation, what is termed "software" is a shorthand for a
massively complex interchanging/specification of ordered-matter
elements. The term "ordered-matter elements" may refer to physical
components of computation, such as assemblies of electronic logic
gates, molecular computing logic constituents, quantum computing
mechanisms, etc.
[0076] For example, a high-level programming language is a
programming language with strong abstraction, e.g., multiple levels
of abstraction, from the details of the sequential organizations,
states, inputs, outputs, etc., of the machines that a high-level
programming language actually specifies. See, e.g., High-level
Programming Language., Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 18 Jan.
2014. Web. 4 Feb. 2014. In order to facilitate human comprehension,
in many instances, high-level programming languages resemble or
even share symbols with natural languages. See, e.g., Natural
Language., Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Jan. 2014. Web. 4
Feb. 2014.
[0077] It has been argued that because high-level programming
languages use strong abstraction (e.g., that they may resemble or
share symbols with natural languages), they are therefore a "purely
mental construct" (e.g., that "software"--a computer program or
computer--programming--is somehow an ineffable mental construct,
because at a high level of abstraction, it can be conceived and
understood in the human mind). This argument has been used to
characterize technical description in the form of
functions/operations as somehow "abstract ideas." In fact, in
technological arts (e.g., the information and communication
technologies) this is not true.
[0078] The fact that high-level programming languages use strong
abstraction to facilitate human understanding should not be taken
as an indication that what is expressed is an abstract idea. In an
embodiment, if a high-level programming language is the tool used
to implement a technical disclosure in the form of
functions/operations, it can be understood that, far from being
abstract, imprecise, "fuzzy," or "mental" in any significant
semantic sense, such a tool is instead a near incomprehensibly
precise sequential specification of specific
computational--machines--the parts of which are built up by
activating/selecting such parts from typically more general
computational machines over time (e.g., clocked time). This fact is
sometimes obscured by the superficial similarities between
high-level programming languages and natural languages. These
superficial similarities also may cause a glossing over of the fact
that high-level programming language implementations ultimately
perform valuable work by creating/controlling many different
computational machines.
[0079] The many different computational machines that a high-level
programming language specifies are almost unimaginably complex. At
base, the hardware used in the computational machines typically
consists of some type of ordered matter (e.g., traditional
electronic devices (e.g., transistors), deoxyribonucleic acid
(DNA), quantum devices, mechanical switches, optics, fluidics,
pneumatics, optical devices (e.g., optical interference devices),
molecules, etc.) that are arranged to form logic gates. Logic gates
are typically physical devices that may be electrically,
mechanically, chemically, or otherwise driven to change physical
state in order to create a physical reality of Boolean logic.
[0080] Logic gates may be arranged to form logic circuits, which
are typically physical devices that may be electrically,
mechanically, chemically, or otherwise driven to create a physical
reality of certain logical functions. Types of logic circuits
include such devices as multiplexers, registers, arithmetic logic
units (ALUs), computer memory devices, etc., each type of which may
be combined to form yet other types of physical devices, such as a
central processing unit (CPU)--the best known of which is the
microprocessor. A modern microprocessor will often contain more
than one hundred million logic gates in its many logic circuits
(and often more than a billion transistors). See, e.g., Logic
Gates., Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 2 Apr. 2014. Web. 4 Feb.
2014.
[0081] The logic circuits forming the microprocessor are arranged
to provide a microarchitecture that will carry out the instructions
defined by that microprocessor's defined Instruction Set
Architecture. The Instruction Set Architecture is the part of the
microprocessor architecture related to programming, including the
native data types, instructions, registers, addressing modes,
memory architecture, interrupt and exception handling, and external
Input/Output. See, e.g., Computer Architecture., Wikipedia.
Wikimedia Foundation, 2 Feb. 2014. Web. 4 Feb. 2014.
[0082] The Instruction Set Architecture includes a specification of
the machine language that can be used by programmers to use/control
the microprocessor. Since the machine language instructions are
such that they may be executed directly by the microprocessor,
typically they consist of strings of binary digits, or bits. For
example, a typical machine language instruction might be many bits
long (e.g., 32, 64, or 128 bit strings are currently common). A
typical machine language instruction might take the form
"11110000101011110000111100111111" (a 32 bit instruction).
[0083] It is significant here that, although the machine language
instructions are written as sequences of binary digits, in
actuality those binary digits specify physical reality. For
example, if certain semiconductors are used to make the operations
of Boolean logic a physical reality, the apparently mathematical
bits "1" and "0" in a machine language instruction actually
constitute a shorthand that specifies the application of specific
voltages to specific wires. For example, in some semiconductor
technologies, the binary number "1" (e.g., logical "1") in a
machine language instruction specifies around +5 volts applied to a
specific "wire" (e.g., metallic traces on a printed circuit board)
and the binary number "0" (e.g., logical "0") in a machine language
instruction specifies around -5 volts applied to a specific "wire."
In addition to specifying voltages of the machines' configuration,
such machine language instructions also select out and activate
specific groupings of logic gates from the millions of logic gates
of the more general machine. Thus, far from abstract mathematical
expressions, machine language instruction programs, even though
written as a string of zeros and ones, specify many, many
constructed physical machines or physical machine states.
[0084] Machine language is typically incomprehensible by most
humans (e.g., the above example was just ONE instruction, and some
personal computers execute more than two billion instructions every
second). See, e.g., Instructions per Second., Wikipedia. Wikimedia
Foundation, 13 Jan. 2014. Web. 4 Feb. 2014.
[0085] Thus, programs written in machine language--which may be
tens of millions of machine language instructions long--are
incomprehensible. In view of this, early assembly languages were
developed that used mnemonic codes to refer to machine language
instructions, rather than using the machine language instructions'
numeric values directly (e.g., for performing a multiplication
operation, programmers coded the abbreviation "mult," which
represents the binary number "011000" in MIPS machine code). While
assembly languages were initially a great aid to humans controlling
the microprocessors to perform work, in time the complexity of the
work that needed to be done by the humans outstripped the ability
of humans to control the microprocessors using merely assembly
languages.
[0086] At this point, it was noted that the same tasks needed to be
done over and over, and the machine language necessary to do those
repetitive tasks was the same. In view of this, compilers were
created. A compiler is a device that takes a statement that is more
comprehensible to a human than either machine or assembly language,
such as "add 2+2 and output the result," and translates that human
understandable statement into a complicated, tedious, and immense
machine language code (e.g., millions of 32, 64, or 128 bit length
strings). Compilers thus translate high-level programming language
into machine language.
[0087] This compiled machine language, as described above, is then
used as the technical specification which sequentially constructs
and causes the interoperation of many different computational
machines such that humanly useful, tangible, and concrete work is
done. For example, as indicated above, such machine language--the
compiled version of the higher-level language--functions as a
technical specification which selects out hardware logic gates,
specifies voltage levels, voltage transition timings, etc., such
that the humanly useful work is accomplished by the hardware.
[0088] Thus, a functional/operational technical description, when
viewed by one of skill in the art, is far from an abstract idea.
Rather, such a functional/operational technical description, when
understood through the tools available in the art such as those
just described, is instead understood to be a humanly
understandable representation of a hardware specification, the
complexity and specificity of which far exceeds the comprehension
of most any one human. Accordingly, any such operational/functional
technical descriptions may be understood as operations made into
physical reality by (a) one or more interchained physical machines,
(b) interchained logic gates configured to create one or more
physical machine(s) representative of sequential/combinatorial
logic(s), (c) interchained ordered matter making up logic gates
(e.g., interchained electronic devices (e.g., transistors), DNA,
quantum devices, mechanical switches, optics, fluidics, pneumatics,
molecules, etc.) that create physical reality representative of
logic(s), or (d) virtually any combination of the foregoing.
Indeed, any physical object which has a stable, measurable, and
changeable state may be used to construct a machine based on the
above technical description. Charles Babbage, for example,
constructed the first computer out of wood and powered by cranking
a handle.
[0089] Thus, far from being understood as an abstract idea, it can
be recognizes that a functional/operational technical description
as a humanly-understandable representation of one or more almost
unimaginably complex and time sequenced hardware instantiations.
The fact that functional/operational technical descriptions might
lend themselves readily to high-level computing languages (or
high-level block diagrams for that matter) that share some words,
structures, phrases, etc. with natural language simply cannot be
taken as an indication that such functional/operational technical
descriptions are abstract ideas, or mere expressions of abstract
ideas. In fact, as outlined herein, in the technological arts this
is simply not true. When viewed through the tools available to
those of skill in the art, such functional/operational technical
descriptions are seen as specifying hardware configurations of
almost unimaginable complexity.
[0090] As outlined above, the reason for the use of
functional/operational technical descriptions is at least twofold.
First, the use of functional/operational technical descriptions
allows near-infinitely complex machines and machine operations
arising from interchained hardware elements to be described in a
manner that the human mind can process (e.g., by mimicking natural
language and logical narrative flow). Second, the use of
functional/operational technical descriptions assists the person of
skill in the art in understanding the described subject matter by
providing a description that is more or less independent of any
specific vendor's piece(s) of hardware.
[0091] The use of functional/operational technical descriptions
assists the person of skill in the art in understanding the
described subject matter since, as is evident from the above
discussion, one could easily, although not quickly, transcribe the
technical descriptions set forth in this document as trillions of
ones and zeros, billions of single lines of assembly-level machine
code, millions of logic gates, thousands of gate arrays, or any
number of intermediate levels of abstractions. However, if any such
low-level technical descriptions were to replace the present
technical description, a person of skill in the art could encounter
undue difficulty in implementing the disclosure, because such a
low-level technical description would likely add complexity without
a corresponding benefit (e.g., by describing the subject matter
utilizing the conventions of one or more vendor-specific pieces of
hardware). Thus, the use of functional/operational technical
descriptions assists those of skill in the art by separating the
technical descriptions from the conventions of any vendor-specific
piece of hardware.
[0092] In view of the foregoing, the logical operations/functions
set forth in the present technical description are representative
of static or sequenced specifications of various ordered-matter
elements, in order that such specifications may be comprehensible
to the human mind and adaptable to create many various hardware
configurations. The logical operations/functions disclosed herein
should be treated as such, and should not be disparagingly
characterized as abstract ideas merely because the specifications
they represent are presented in a manner that one of skill in the
art can readily understand and apply in a manner independent of a
specific vendor's hardware implementation.
[0093] At least a portion of the devices or processes described
herein can be integrated into an information processing system. An
information processing system generally includes one or more of a
system unit housing, a video display device, memory, such as
volatile or non-volatile memory, processors such as microprocessors
or digital signal processors, computational entities such as
operating systems, drivers, graphical user interfaces, and
applications programs, one or more interaction devices (e.g., a
touch pad, a touch screen, an antenna, etc.), or control systems
including feedback loops and control motors (e.g., feedback for
detecting position or velocity, control motors for moving or
adjusting components or quantities). An information processing
system can be implemented utilizing suitable commercially available
components, such as those typically found in data
computing/communication or network computing/communication
systems.
[0094] The state of the art has progressed to the point where there
is little distinction left between hardware and software
implementations of aspects of systems; the use of hardware or
software is generally (but not always, in that in certain contexts
the choice between hardware and software can become significant) a
design choice representing cost vs. efficiency tradeoffs. Various
vehicles by which processes or systems or other technologies
described herein can be effected (e.g., hardware, software,
firmware, etc., in one or more machines or articles of
manufacture), and that the preferred vehicle will vary with the
context in which the processes, systems, other technologies, etc.,
are deployed. For example, if an implementer determines that speed
and accuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly
hardware or firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibility is
paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly software
implementation that is implemented in one or more machines or
articles of manufacture; or, yet again alternatively, the
implementer may opt for some combination of hardware, software,
firmware, etc. in one or more machines or articles of manufacture.
Hence, there are several possible vehicles by which the processes,
devices, other technologies, etc., described herein may be
effected, none of which is inherently superior to the other in that
any vehicle to be utilized is a choice dependent upon the context
in which the vehicle will be deployed and the specific concerns
(e.g., speed, flexibility, or predictability) of the implementer,
any of which may vary. In an embodiment, optical aspects of
implementations will typically employ optically-oriented hardware,
software, firmware, etc., in one or more machines or articles of
manufacture.
[0095] The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates
different components contained within, or connected with, different
other components. It is to be understood that such depicted
architectures are merely examples, and that in fact, many other
architectures can be implemented that achieve the same
functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components
to achieve the same functionality is effectively "associated" such
that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two
components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality
can be seen as "associated with" each other such that the desired
functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or
intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated
can also be viewed as being "operably connected", or "operably
coupled," to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and
any two components capable of being so associated can also be
viewed as being "operably coupleable," to each other to achieve the
desired functionality. Specific examples of operably coupleable
include, but are not limited to, physically mateable, physically
interacting components, wirelessly interactable, wirelessly
interacting components, logically interacting, logically
interactable components, etc.
[0096] In an embodiment, one or more components may be referred to
herein as "configured to," "configurable to," "operable/operative
to," "adapted/adaptable," "able to," "conformable/conformed to,"
etc. Such terms (e.g., "configured to") can generally encompass
active-state components, or inactive-state components, or
standby-state components, unless context requires otherwise.
[0097] The foregoing detailed description has set forth various
embodiments of the devices or processes via the use of block
diagrams, flowcharts, or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams,
flowcharts, or examples contain one or more functions or
operations, it will be understood by the reader that each function
or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples
can be implemented, individually or collectively, by a wide range
of hardware, software, firmware in one or more machines or articles
of manufacture, or virtually any combination thereof. Further, the
use of "Start," "End," or "Stop" blocks in the block diagrams is
not intended to indicate a limitation on the beginning or end of
any functions in the diagram. Such flowcharts or diagrams may be
incorporated into other flowcharts or diagrams where additional
functions are performed before or after the functions shown in the
diagrams of this application. In an embodiment, several portions of
the subject matter described herein is implemented via Application
Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate
Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), or other
integrated formats. However, some aspects of the embodiments
disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently
implemented in integrated circuits, as one or more computer
programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more
programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more
programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more
programs running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or
as virtually any combination thereof, and that designing the
circuitry or writing the code for the software and or firmware
would be well within the skill of one of skill in the art in light
of this disclosure. In addition, the mechanisms of the subject
matter described herein are capable of being distributed as a
program product in a variety of forms, and that an illustrative
embodiment of the subject matter described herein applies
regardless of the particular type of signal-bearing medium used to
actually carry out the distribution. Non-limiting examples of a
signal-bearing medium include the following: a recordable type
medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc
(CD), a Digital Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer
memory, etc.; and a transmission type medium such as a digital or
an analog communication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a
waveguide, a wired communications link, a wireless communication
link (e.g., transmitter, receiver, transmission logic, reception
logic, etc.), etc.).
[0098] While particular aspects of the present subject matter
described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent
to the reader that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and
modifications can be made without departing from the subject matter
described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the
appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such
changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope
of the subject matter described herein. In general, terms used
herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the
appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the
term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not
limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at
least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but
is not limited to," etc.). Further, if a specific number of an
introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be
explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such
recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to
understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of
the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to
introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases
should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim
recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any
particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to
claims containing only one such recitation, even when the same
claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least
one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or
"an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one
or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles
used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a
specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly
recited, such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at
least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two
recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two
recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those
instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B,
and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in
the sense of the convention (e.g., "system having at least one of
A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have
A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B
and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those
instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or
C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the
sense of the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A,
B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A
alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and
C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). Typically a
disjunctive word or phrase presenting two or more alternative
terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be
understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the
terms, either of the terms, or both terms unless context dictates
otherwise. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be typically
understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and
B."
[0099] With respect to the appended claims, the operations recited
therein generally may be performed in any order. Also, although
various operational flows are presented in a sequence(s), it should
be understood that the various operations may be performed in
orders other than those that are illustrated, or may be performed
concurrently. Examples of such alternate orderings includes
overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental,
preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variant
orderings, unless context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, terms
like "responsive to," "related to," or other past-tense adjectives
are generally not intended to exclude such variants, unless context
dictates otherwise.
[0100] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed
herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various
aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of
illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true
scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
* * * * *